In today's digital world, the speed and stability of your wireless connection directly depend on the technical capabilities of your equipment. Many users experience slow internet speeds, even though their service plan offers high speeds. Often, the root cause of the problem lies in device incompatibility or outdated communication standards that you might not even be aware of. Understanding What version of Wi-Fi exactly? used in your network is the first step to properly optimizing your home or office Internet.
In the context of wireless networks, the term "version" often covers two different concepts: the hardware communication standard (e.g., Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6) and the router software version (firmware). Confusion between these parameters can lead to incorrect conclusions when diagnosing problems. In this article, we'll cover how to identify both indicators using built-in operating system tools and specialized utilities, so you can get the most out of your device.
Differences between Wi-Fi standards and firmware version
Before proceeding with the checks, it is necessary to clearly distinguish between the concepts, as the methods for updating them and influencing the network are fundamentally different. Wi-Fi standard — This is a physical characteristic of the module, built into the chip by the manufacturer. It determines the theoretical maximum speed and signal range. You can't convert an 802.11n-enabled router into an 802.11ax-enabled device through software; this is a hardware limitation.
On the other side, firmware version Firmware is the router's operating system. Updating it can fix security bugs, improve connection stability, and even add new features, but it won't change the physical radio signal standard. If your smartphone supports the latest protocol and the router uses an older standard, the connection will be established using the slower of the two available options. Therefore, testing begins with determining the hardware capabilities.
⚠️ Attention: Router settings interfaces from different manufacturers (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik) can vary significantly. Menu item names often change after interface updates, so look for sections containing the words "Status," "Wireless," "About," or "Status."
For clarity, let's look at the main wireless generations that you might encounter in the settings:
- 📡 Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) — a basic standard operating in the 2.4 and 5 GHz ranges, with a maximum speed of up to 600 Mbps.
- 🚀 Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) — a modern standard focused primarily on the 5 GHz band, providing high speeds for 4K streaming.
- ⚡ Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) — advanced technology optimized for working with a large number of connected devices simultaneously.
Checking the Wi-Fi version on a Windows computer
The Windows operating system provides quite detailed information about the current network connection status. To obtain this data, you don't need to install third-party software; just use the built-in diagnostic tools. Right-click the network icon in the system tray (near the clock) and select Network and Internet settingsIn the window that opens, find the section Properties your active connection.
In the list of parameters, scroll down to the line ProtocolThis is where the current communication standard will be indicated, for example, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)It's important to understand that this doesn't represent your adapter's maximum capabilities, but rather the mode it's currently operating in with your current router. If you see 802.11n here, even though your router is new, you may be connected to the 2.4 GHz band, which is often slower.
☑️ Connection diagnostics in Windows
For a more in-depth analysis, you can use the command line. Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter. In the black terminal window, enter the command:
netsh wlan show interfacesFind the line in the list that appears. Radio type (Radio type). This will accurately indicate which 802.11 standard is currently in use. This is especially useful when the graphical interface doesn't display complete data or when you need to quickly copy information for tech support.
How to find the Wi-Fi standard on macOS and iOS
Apple ecosystem users can also easily access technical information about their wireless connection. On Mac computers running macOS Monterey and later, the process is extremely simple. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar while holding down the [key] Option (Alt) The drop-down list will display extended information, including the line Protocol, where the standard will be indicated, for example, 802.11ax.
If you have an older version of macOS, use the utility Connection Manager (Wireless Diagnostics). You can find it through Spotlight search or in the folder /System/Libraries/CoreServices/Applications. Run the program without connecting to any network (if possible), or just open the menu Window → ReviewHere, the detailed report will indicate the supported speed and PHY standard.
⚠️ Attention: On iPhones and iPads, it's impossible to determine the exact Wi-Fi standard (for example, distinguish between AC and Axe) using standard tools during normal operation. Apple hides this technical detail in the iOS interface, displaying only the connection status and signal strength.
For iPhone owners, there's an indirect method of checking through the router settings if you have access to its admin panel, or through third-party analyzer apps that can display the channel type and bandwidth, which indirectly indicates the standard. However, the most accurate information will come from checking the specifications of your iPhone model on the official Apple website, under "Specifications."
Why isn't the Wi-Fi standard listed on iPhones?
Apple strives for a minimalist interface. For the average user, what matters is that the internet is working, not the protocol used to transmit packets. Detailed technical information is hidden in system logs, access to which is restricted without special debugging profiles.
Checking the characteristics through the router's web interface
The most reliable way to determine your network's capabilities is to look inside the router itself. To do this, log into the device's control panel. Open any browser and enter the router's IP address in the address bar, usually 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.31.1The exact address is often written on a sticker on the bottom of the device.
After entering your login and password (they are also on the sticker if you haven't changed them), go to the wireless network section. It may be called Wireless, Wi-Fi, Wireless mode or WLANIn the settings, you'll see a mode switch. It may say: 802.11 b/g/n mixed or 802.11 a/n/ac/ax mixedThis is the answer to the question about your Wi-Fi version.
Below is a table of frequency ranges and standards that will help you decipher the values you see:
| Range | Standards (Protocols) | Wi-Fi Alliance label | Max. speed (theoret.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | 802.11b/g/n | Wi-Fi 4 | up to 600 Mbps |
| 5 GHz | 802.11a/n/ac | Wi-Fi 5 | up to 6.9 Gbps |
| 2.4 / 5 GHz | 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 | up to 9.6 Gbps |
| 6 GHz | 802.11be | Wi-Fi 7 | up to 46 Gbps |
Please pay attention to the tab State (Status) or System toolsThe current firmware version is often displayed there. If you plan to update your router to improve stability, you should compare these numbers with the latest versions on the manufacturer's website.
Using mobile apps for analysis
Android users have a variety of apps that allow them to analyze their wireless environment in detail. One of the most popular and reliable tools is WiFiman from Ubiquiti or WiFi AnalyzerThese snails not only display the network name, but also provide technical information about the channel, bandwidth, and standard.
After installing the app and granting geolocation access permissions (required for the Wi-Fi scanner to work on Android), start a scan. Tap your network name or the information icon. In the window that opens, look for the field Standard or Protocol. It will clearly state: 802.11ac, 802.11ax etc. This will show you what mode your phone is currently communicating with the router in.
- 📱 WiFiman — a professional tool without unnecessary fluff, shows ping, jitter and communication standards.
- 📶 WiFi Analyzer (open source) - perfectly visualizes channel noise levels and technical connection details.
- 🔍 Fing — a powerful network scanner that also displays the connection type and device manufacturer.
If your phone is older, it may not show Wi-Fi 6 support, even if your router does. Therefore, for a complete picture, it's best to check the specifications of both devices.
How Wi-Fi Version Affects Speed and Stability
Understanding the Wi-Fi version is critical for truly assessing internet speed. Many users purchase plans of 500 Mbps or higher, but are dissatisfied with the results, receiving only 50-80 Mbps. The reason is often the standard used. 802.11n in the 2.4 GHz range, which is physically incapable of transmitting gigabit speeds due to the narrowness of the channel and high levels of interference.
Transition to the standard 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 opens up access to the 5 GHz band. This not only increases throughput but also reduces latency (ping), which is critical for online gaming and video calls. However, it's important to keep in mind that high-frequency signals have poorer penetration through thick walls, so larger apartments may require a mesh system or repeater that supports the same modern standards.
⚠️ Attention: Router manufacturers sometimes list the combined speed (e.g., AC1200) on the box, combining the speeds of two bands. The actual speed for a single device will be limited by the capabilities of the specific band (usually up to 867 Mbps at 5 GHz for AC1200).
If you discover your equipment is outdated, don't rush to buy the most expensive solution. For watching Full HD videos and working with documents, a high-quality router with Wi-Fi 5 support is quite sufficient. The race for Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 only makes sense if you have a corresponding provider plan and modern devices that can appreciate the difference.
Should you upgrade to Wi-Fi 6?
This only makes sense if you have more than 10-15 active devices, use gigabit internet, and own devices released after 2020. Otherwise, the difference in everyday tasks will be barely noticeable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to upgrade a router to Wi-Fi 6 using software?
No, this is not possible. Support for Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standards depends on the hardware (chipset and antennas). If a router only supports Wi-Fi 5, no firmware update will add new physical capabilities.
Why is Wi-Fi speed slower than cable?
A wireless connection always incurs overhead for signal encoding, interference protection, and time-sharing between devices. Furthermore, speed is limited by the Wi-Fi standard (e.g., 802.11n) and signal strength. A cable (Ethernet) provides a direct connection without the loss of radio waves.
How do I check if my Wi-Fi is working on 5GHz?
Check the network name (SSID). Manufacturers often add the prefix "_5G" or "_5GHz" to the network name. The channel frequency (e.g., 5180 MHz or higher) will also be listed in the connection properties on your PC or in the mobile analyzer app.
Does router firmware version affect Wi-Fi speed?
Yes, it can. Firmware updates often contain wireless module driver bug fixes, optimized signal processing algorithms, and vulnerability fixes, which can improve connection stability and speed.